John Quincy Adams

An item at American Writers Museum

John Quincy Adams learned about politics from his father, John Adams, the second president of the United States. The younger Adams served his country as a senator, congressman, ambassador, and Secretary of State. In 1824, he was elected the nation's sixth president.

Adams was an eloquent orator-speaking powerfully against slavery-and his diary is an American masterpiece. Its 14,000 pages contain sharp, brilliantly written accounts of events and personalities from the Revolution to the coming of the Civil War-and also provides an arresting self-portrait of its author.

AMERICAN VOICES

An exhibit at American Writers Museum

American writing is distinctive, diverse, and comes in many forms from across the nation. The 100 authors featured here represent the evolution of American writing. Learn more about each writer on the timeline by turning the panels below their portraits. Explore centuries of writing by pulling, turning, and touching the interactive elements on the counter.

This is not meant to be a list of the greatest or most influential writers. Instead, we present authors and works as part of the American story as it grows and changes. Taken together, this rich literary heritage reflects America in all of its complexity: its energy, hope, conflict, disillusionment, and creativity.

American Writers Museum